Four dead as train crashes, bursts into flames
JOHANNESBURG – Four people died and dozens were injured after a passenger train derailed and crashed into a truck before bursting into flames in South Africa’s Free State province, emergency services said on Thursday.
“Four people have been declared dead… with approximately 40 injured,” said Netcare’s spokesman Tebogo Magoro, a spokesman for emergency services group Netcare911.
Paramedic service ER24 said as many as 100 people had been injured. “Those with serious injuries are being transported by Netcare 911 and other services to hospital,” said Magoro.
Footage by passengers from the scene shows a number of Shosholoza Meyl carriages engulfed in flames.
Shosholoza train derailed outside Kroonstad.@maroelamedia @afriforum @IanCameron23 @HantiO @crimeairnetwork pic.twitter.com/hsq4uuQuWC
— Marius Müller (@Marius4060) January 4, 2018
BREAKING NEWS: Shosholoza Meyl on fire. The accident occurred between Hennenman and Kroonstad in the Free state. @eNCA @volksbladnuus @Netwerk24 @News24 @VistaNews1 @SABreakingNews @SABCNewsOnline pic.twitter.com/PYHpOiDbiA
— City Of Welkom (@CityOfWelkom) January 4, 2018
ER24, and other services, on scene of a train accident between Hennenman and Kroonstad, FS. Initial reports of approximately 100 patients. Further updates to follow. @ewnupdates @eNCA @OFMNews9497 @jour_maine @SABCNewsOnline @_ArriveAlive @JacaNews
— ER24 EMS (Pty) Ltd. (@ER24EMS) January 4, 2018
Thu, 04 January
09:52 AM
Free State Hennenman / Kroonstad: A train has gone off the rails on the road between Hennenman and Kroonstad. A bit of smoke in that area, please drive cautiously. @_ArriveAlive @HALO_Aviation @fs_health @Netcare911_sa @ER24EMS— Bloemfontein Medics (@BFN_EMS) January 4, 2018